‘I’ll be a PM and a mum’: Jacinda Ardern announces first pregnancy

1Shares

Congratulations are in order for NZ’s Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern and partner, Clarke Gayford who announced their first pregnancy this morning.

Ardern tweeted that she’ll be joining the long list of parents wearing two hats– juggling a career and a budding family. Their baby is due in the middle of the year.

We thought 2017 was a big year! This year we’ll join the many parents who wear two hats. I’ll be PM & a mum while Clarke will be “first man of fishing” & stay at home dad. There will be lots of questions (I can assure you we have a plan all ready to go!) but for now bring on 2018 pic.twitter.com/nowAYOhAbF

For months, Ardern has faced unfair public scrutiny over her capacity to start a family and juggle the responsibilities of leading the country. Despite this, she has remained fiercely resolute that the two are not mutually exclusive.

She also noted that the news was especially special for the couple, given they were unsure about their chances of conceiving naturally.

“We’re both really happy. We wanted a family but weren’t sure it would happen for us, which has made this news unexpected but exciting,” Ardern disclosed in a statement.

“Clarke and I have always been clear we wanted to be parents but had been told we would need help for that to happen.